15 Myths and Facts About Suicide and Depression
Who's at the greatest risk, why, and when they are most likely to be vulnerable.
Lynne Peeples
Depression is more common than AIDS, cancer, and diabetes
combined, and nearly 400,000 people attempt suicide in the U.S. every year.
But even though it's a common and serious problem, many people don't know that much about depression and suicide——including who's at the greatest risk, why, and when they are most likely to be vulnerable.
Here are 15 myths and facts about depression and suicide.
Suicides peak during holidays
Myth
"There is a time of year when suicides are more common," says Marcia Valenstein, MD, research scientist at the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research & Development Service. "But it's not when everyone thinks."
Most people think the winter holidays are a risky time, but suicides are lowest in December and peak in the spring.
It's not clear why, but it could be due to changing levels of natural light. "It could be that they have more energy to attempt suicide," says Dr. Valenstein, who is also an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan Depression Center, in Ann Arbor.
Suicide rates climb with altitude
Fact
The greater the elevation of a person's home, the higher the risk of suicide, according to a recent study. Suicide rates are about 70 percent higher in regions 2,000 meters in elevation, for example, compared to at sea level.
The effect appeared to hold even after researchers accounted for risk factors such as greater gun ownership and lower population density.
Most suicide attempts fail
Fact
Fortunately, only 1 in every 25 attempts actually results in death, according to the CDC.
To further lower that rate, Dr. Valenstein suggests "taking away the means."
"Make sure people you're concerned about don't have stockpiles of meds or access to guns," she says. "You want to make it difficult for them to enact a persistent suicidal thought."
Suicide is more common than in the past
Myth
Suicide rates in the U.S. have remained relatively constant over the past several decades, and may even have slightly decreased.
Still, youth between the ages of 15 and 24 are more than twice as likely to commit suicide today compared to 50 years ago. And, worldwide, suicide rates have increased by about 60% in the last 45 years, according to the World Health Organization.
Treatment cuts suicide risk
Fact
"There are not a lot of ways to prevent suicide at this point," says Dr. Valenstein. "But successful treatment of any underlying psychiatric disorder is very important and can reduce suicidal thoughts, particularly among older people."
She adds that a popular concern that antidepressants can actually raise the risk of suicide among patients under the age of 25 is most relevant during the first few weeks of therapy.
"If you successfully treat depression," notes Dr. Valenstein, "suicidal ideation declines."
Read More:http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100275163
Are you in crisis? Call 1-800-273-TALK
Suicide and Bullying:http://www.sprc.org/sites/sprc.org/files/library/Suicide_Bullying_Issue_Brief.pdf
But even though it's a common and serious problem, many people don't know that much about depression and suicide——including who's at the greatest risk, why, and when they are most likely to be vulnerable.
Here are 15 myths and facts about depression and suicide.
Suicides peak during holidays
Myth
"There is a time of year when suicides are more common," says Marcia Valenstein, MD, research scientist at the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research & Development Service. "But it's not when everyone thinks."
Most people think the winter holidays are a risky time, but suicides are lowest in December and peak in the spring.
It's not clear why, but it could be due to changing levels of natural light. "It could be that they have more energy to attempt suicide," says Dr. Valenstein, who is also an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan Depression Center, in Ann Arbor.
Suicide rates climb with altitude
Fact
The greater the elevation of a person's home, the higher the risk of suicide, according to a recent study. Suicide rates are about 70 percent higher in regions 2,000 meters in elevation, for example, compared to at sea level.
The effect appeared to hold even after researchers accounted for risk factors such as greater gun ownership and lower population density.
Most suicide attempts fail
Fact
Fortunately, only 1 in every 25 attempts actually results in death, according to the CDC.
To further lower that rate, Dr. Valenstein suggests "taking away the means."
"Make sure people you're concerned about don't have stockpiles of meds or access to guns," she says. "You want to make it difficult for them to enact a persistent suicidal thought."
Suicide is more common than in the past
Myth
Suicide rates in the U.S. have remained relatively constant over the past several decades, and may even have slightly decreased.
Still, youth between the ages of 15 and 24 are more than twice as likely to commit suicide today compared to 50 years ago. And, worldwide, suicide rates have increased by about 60% in the last 45 years, according to the World Health Organization.
Treatment cuts suicide risk
Fact
"There are not a lot of ways to prevent suicide at this point," says Dr. Valenstein. "But successful treatment of any underlying psychiatric disorder is very important and can reduce suicidal thoughts, particularly among older people."
She adds that a popular concern that antidepressants can actually raise the risk of suicide among patients under the age of 25 is most relevant during the first few weeks of therapy.
"If you successfully treat depression," notes Dr. Valenstein, "suicidal ideation declines."
Read More:http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100275163
Are you in crisis? Call 1-800-273-TALK
Suicide and Bullying:http://www.sprc.org/sites/sprc.org/files/library/Suicide_Bullying_Issue_Brief.pdf
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